Episodes
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Today's scheduled epsiode (Episode 41) will be postponed until next week. Stay kind!PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathletic
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
In this episode I chat with James Hughes about his new book, The Illustrator's Guide, a comprehensive, motivational handbook for artists trying to break into the freelance illustration market. James is an agent at Folio Illustration and Animation Agency, representing some 60 illustrators around the world. Taking advice from James means learning from someone who sits at the front lines of both illustrators and the clients who hire them every day.
What You’ll Learn:
How to Balance Personal Taste with Market-Readiness in your ArtTips for Building Your PortfolioWhat to Work On While You're Waiting for Real Client WorkHow to Submit Work to an AgentWhat Not to Do When Reaching Out to an AgentAnd much more!Show Links
Please use my Affiliate Links to support the podcast!
Buy the Illustrator's Guide in Canada: https://amzn.to/4dV7a1qBuy the Illustrator's Guide in the US: https://amzn.to/4fdl6oqThe Illustrator's Guide Website - http://theillustratorsguide.comThe Illustrator's Guide YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@TheIllustratorsGuideHow to Support This Podcast
If you love Thoughts on Illustration, help us to keep going in one of these easy ways:
Tell your friends by sharing this episode or a link to the podcast on social mediaLike, Subscribe, and Leave a Comment (YouTube and on the Spotify App)Become an $8 Drawing Buddy on Patreon! Visit http://patreon.com/tomfroese to learn more.Join the Conversation: I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Have you ever experienced a style crisis? How did you overcome it? Share your experiences in the comments or reach out to me on Instagram or by email at [email protected]
Don’t Forget: If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and leave a comment or review! Your support helps others discover the podcast.
These notes are AI-generated.
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Missing episodes?
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Develop a Drawing Habit in 30 Days. Take my class, Drawing Is Important – https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/drawing-is-important. Use my links to get 30 days free on Skillshare.
In this episode of My Thoughts on Illustration, I dive deep into my recent experience with a style crisis and how I turned to a daily drawing challenge to reignite my creativity.
What You’ll Learn:
The signs of a style crisis and how to recognize them in your own work.My personal struggles and the journey of feeling uninspired.How a daily drawing challenge helped me explore new ideas and techniques.Tips for overcoming creative blocks and finding inspiration again.Resources Mentioned:
Skillshare Classes (Use my links to get 30 Days Free on Skillshare)
Drawing is Important: Develop a Daily Sketchbook Habit in 30 Days - https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/drawing-is-importantThe Style Class: Work Out Your Style in a Daily Project - https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/thestyleclassOther Resources
September 2024 Draw With Me (Replay) - https://www.patreon.com/posts/draw-with-me-27-113161033Connect with Me:
Instagram: instagram.com/mrtomfroese.Work/Classes/Podcast: www.tomfroese.comJoin the Conversation: I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode! Have you ever experienced a style crisis? How did you overcome it? Share your experiences in the comments or reach out to me on Instagram or by email at [email protected]
Don’t Forget: If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and leave a comment or review! Your support helps others discover the podcast.
These notes are AI-generated.
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Learn how to Make Inky Maps (Procreate Edition) on Skillshare — Get 30 Days of Skillshare Free with This Link — https://skl.sh/3Swd9SK
In this episode I talk with lettering artist Martina Flor. Martina started as a designer in Argentina, but she soon discovered the joy of hand lettering. From there she built a successful career as a lettering artist, which has now become a small empire of inspiring work, masterclasses, coaching groups, books, and even a podcast. Of course, she couldn’t do all of this on her own. She’s built an entire team around her so she can focus more on doing what she loves most, while being able to grow her business well beyond what she could do alone. As she puts it best, ““There’s no progress in isolation.”
In This Episode
What to include in your portfolio if you don’t have real client workBuilding a team in small, low-risk incrementsWhy showing your values and personality up-front makes you more competitiveHow to be more attractive to your clients by being less available to themShould you use an illustration or photographic portrait as your profile picture?And MUCH more!HOW TO SUPPORT
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend. This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.02 — Please Like and Subscribe! SO EASY! 😊03 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese — $8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups. Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions!TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Podcast Hook – Why You Should Listen
00:25 Introduction – Meet Your Host and the Episode's Topic
03:54 How to Support the Podcast – Ways to Help
04:33 Interview with Martina Flor Begins
07:29 Martina Flor’s Journey: Becoming a Lettering Artist
10:34 Why Martina Chose to Focus on Lettering
15:05 Big Leap vs. Small Steps: How to Achieve Your Dream Job
20:47 Leveraging Your Art Skills for Career Success
21:47 How Small Freelance Jobs Lead to Bigger Opportunities
22:47 Martina’s First Real Client Projects
23:04 Martina’s Proven Client Outreach Strategy
29:12 Building Business Systems vs. Reinventing the Wheel
33:44 How to Run Your Freelance Business Like an Agency
35:10 Selling Yourself: How to Build a Strong Portfolio with No Experience
36:50 Systematizing Your Freelance Process
37:18 Examples of How to Explain Your Creative Process in Your Portfolio
38:39 How to Create a PDF That Explains Your Design Process
41:26 Why You Need a Professional Portrait on Your Portfolio
42:17 Profile Picture: Should You Use an Illustration or a Photo?
43:40 How to Confidently Present Yourself in Your Portfolio
44:50 Is Martina Flor an Introvert or Extrovert?
49:13 Overcoming the Fear of Hiding Behind Your Work
51:09 Why Your Personal Values Matter to Attracting Clients
53:30 How Aligning Your Values Makes You a Competitive Illustrator
55:10 Why Having a Vision Gives Your Work a Purpose
57:26 How Being Too Available Can Harm Your Freelance Business
1:01:03 Inky Maps Procreate Edition – Skillshare Class Promotion
1:02:15 How to Stay Creative While Running a Team
1:11:26 Choosing a Focus: Letting Go of Other Creative Opportunities
1:12:08 Outsourcing Your Creative Skills – Is It Possible?
1:14:12 Affording Help: Should You Hire Experts or Teach Someone?
1:18:47 How to Know When It’s Time to Hire Help for Your Freelance Business
1:24:17 Teaching on Skillshare vs. Kajabi or Teachable: Which Platform is Better?
1:35:35 Martina Flor’s Book Make It: A Must-Read for Creatives
1:46:57 Get Martina’s Book Make It for Only $0.99!
1:47:49 Martina Flor’s Advice to Beginner Illustrators
1:49:23 Martina Flor’s Tips for Experienced Illustrators
1:51:18 Podcast Outro – Final Thoughts and What’s Next
EPISODE LINKS
Make It - Amazon — https://amzn.to/3zxWfwzMake It - Martina's Website — https://www.martinaflor.com/makeitMartina's Website — https://www.martinaflor.comFIND ME ELSEWHERE
Website - www.tomfroese.comClasses - www.tomfroese.com/teachingInstagram - www.instagram.com/mrtomfroesePODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Take Drawing is Important on Skillshare — https://skl.sh/3UWWY00 — Use my link to get 30 free days on the platform!
Just like saving money in the bank, your drawings can gain interest over time. In this episode I explain how this works, and I share how this principle has yielded both creative and financial rewards in my own life. I open up the episode with some recap from the summer! In the end you’ll learn how to set your daily drawing practice up for success with my 5-step plan. Happy to be back for Season 3!
How to Support
Share this episode and podcast with a friend! — https://thoughts-on-illustration.simplecast.com/episodes/let-your-ideas-gain-interest-over-timeBecome a Drawing Buddy on Patreon — http://patreon.com/tomfroeseLike and follow/subscribe!Episode Links
Inky Maps (Procreate Edition) — Create an Analog-Inspired Map on Your iPad — https://skl.sh/3Swd9SK
Drawing is Important — https://skl.sh/3UWWY00
In This Episode
IntroOpening thoughts and summer recapNew ClassThe Friday Five newsletter on SubstackMain ContentBanking your ideas and drawingsWhat do I mean by this?Example: My daily drawing practiceEvolution - we don't just evolve forward, but see how we were evolved in the pastMindset: Not about creating "great" work in the moment, just showing upLater, seeing with fresh eyes, appreciating what we didn't beforeThe PlanPurposeMediaInspiration SourceSustainable ScheduleSharing Strategy2 examples of how it yielded fruitPublished in a bookBecame the basis of a major Skillshare classOutroPODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Take Inky Maps (Procreate Edition): Illustrate an Analog-inspired Map on Your iPad — Use my link to get 30 days free! — https://skl.sh/3Swd9SK
I'm just dropping this bonus episode to say hi, I miss you, and I will be back at it in September. There will be some changes around here, and I talk about what those are. Also, please don't miss my new class on Skillshare called INKY MAPS (PROCREATE EDITION).
SEND YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEEDBACK
Email — [email protected]
SHOW LINKS
Take Inky Maps on Skillshare — https://skl.sh/3Swd9SK
Listen in on my conversation with Martina Flor (Patrons only) — https://www.patreon.com/posts/exclusive-my-and-109588959
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
Website — tomfroese.com
Classes — tomfroese.com/teaching
Instagram — instagram.com/mrtomfroese
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Take Lisa's class, Imaginative Map-Making in Procreate on Skillshare — Use this link to get 30 days free! — https://skl.sh/3z8zI9a
Join in on my conversaion with Lisa Bardot, who teaches people how to make art on their iPad. But that job description is deceivingly simple. She may be best known for her vast catalogue of analogue inspired procreate brushes, aka Bardot Brush. (She’s kind of the Kyle T. Webster of procreate brushes). But she also teaches making digital online in places like Skillshare, YouTube and her own membership platform called Art Maker’s Club. She also runs in-person art trips — her most recent one being in France. If that weren’t enough, she’s also the author of a brand new book called Drawing Digital, The Complete Guide for Learning to Draw and Paint on Your iPad, AND she even provides monthly prompt lists for inspiration-seeking artists, which she calls Make Art Every Day. Lisa has created an entire universe of creativity and community around her passion for drawing and illustrating in Procreate. I really think she’s a perfect guest for the podcast, as she embodies the whole ethos of this podcast of showing up everyday and growing through it, no matter what (and thriving because of it).
>>> Video edition available on YouTube.
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Learn how to make better art! Take Composition for Illustrators on Skillshare — Use my link to get 30 days free! — https://skl.sh/3TLdkeh
Today I chat with my friend Chris Piascik. Chris is an illustrator for clients like Nike, Nickelodeon and Google. He's also a YouTuber and a Top Teacher on Skillshare. We have a free-ranging, loosey goosey conversation about things like: Whether you need to go to art school to become an illustrator; Why Chris and I feel like we don’t quite fit into the “traditional illustrator” mould; We discuss whether the ability to draw realistically is necessary for illustrators today; We commiserate about angry dudes leaving nasty comments on our videos and — We start off with an unexpectedly long conversation about vector files (but as far as these kinds of conversations go, I think it was pretty interesting).HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.com
IN THIS EPISODE (TIME STAMPS)00:00:00-Hook
00:00:37-Podcast Intro
00:02:12-How to Support
00:02:4- Draw With Me on Patreon
00:03:01-Announcement - I'm Taking a Break This Summer
00:03:33-Introducing Chris Piascik
00:04:48-The Conversation Starts Here
00:04:52-How's the new Nano Texture iPad Pro?
00:07:06-Mean Comments from Angry Dudes
00:10:04-Most and Least Popular Videos on our Channels
00:17:22-Vector Files
00:28:4- Chris's Backstory
00:32:04-Getting Illustration by Being a Graphic Designer First
00:39:51-Advantages of Not Being Formally Trained as an Illustrator
00:42:03-What is the Point of Illustration in the age of AI?
00:48:04-The Art Teacher that Saved Chris Piascik's Illustration Career (Shout out to Ms. Oberg)
00:50:38-Why Taking a Minor in Art School is a Waste
00:52:58-Is Doing a Post-grad just Avoiding the Real World?
00:55:51-Imposter Syndrome While in Grad School
00:56:40-Is an Art Degree Worth it in 2024?
01:11:57-Building Your Art Career with a Daily Projects
01:19:51-Is Illustration Dead?
01:21:46-Older Illustrators Fearing Technological Progress
01:22:19-Why Drawing Realistically Doesn't Matter
01:26:08-Chris Piascik's Advice to Beginner Illustrators
01:29:04-Check out Chris's YouTube Channel
01:31:17-Thank You for Watching
SHOW LINKS
Watch "The Best Adobe Fresco Class with Kyle T. Webster" on YouTube— https://youtu.be/TWPbigaFsNA?si=qiY2yfVrbKGx9V27
Chris's YouTube Channel — http://youtube.com/@chris-piascik
Chris's Work — http://chrispiascik.com
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticFIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
All Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
✏️ Learn How to Make Good Work AND Please Your Clients — Take The Six Stages of Illustration: https://skl.sh/4cCTxEH— Use this link to get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare.
Have you ever been asked by a friend or family member to do some work for them? Perhaps to illustrate a "quick" birthday card for someone's boyfriend or "whip up" a little logo for their start-up coffee truck? While it seems like a no-brainer — of course you should share your creative gift — if you've ever actually gotten into it, you may have noticed it's not all fun and games.
In this episode, we tackle a question many creatives grapple with: should you work for your friends (and family)? Combining personal and professional relationships can be a double-edged sword, offering both unique advantages and significant challenges. We explore both sides the debate — FOR and AGAINST working for friends — and then, I'll give you 7 tips to help set you up for success (and safety) for those times when you decide to go ahead and do it.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.comSKILLSHARE CLASSES MENTIONED
Now's a great time to finally check out Skillshare while supporting this podcast in a major way! Get 30 days free membership with these links.
The Six Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Art — https://skl.sh/3LxzI4IIN THIS EPISODE
Intro: Should You Work for Friends and Family?How to SupportPart 1: Reasons NOT to Work for Friends and FamilyPart 2: Reasons TO Work for Friends and FamilyPart 3: Seven Safety Tips for Working With FriendsPODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Learn How to Make Good Work AND Please Your Clients — Take The Six Stages of Illustration: https://skl.sh/4cCTxEH — Use this link to get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare.
What makes otherwise good people such bad clients? How do you deal with them — and how can you avoid them in the first place? In this episode, I explain why there almost never truly bad clients. In my 10+ year career, I've had very few bad clients. Most of them were in the beginning, when I didn't have enough experience to spot them before it's too late. By listening to this episode, you'll learn what I wish I knew when I was starting out — and this will help you make sure every client is a good client! That means they'll trust you to do what you do best (the art!) and they'll give you everything you need to do your job.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.comSKILLSHARE CLASSES MENTIONED
Now's a great time to finally check out Skillshare while supporting this podcast in a major way! Get 30 days free membership with these links.
The Six Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Art — https://skl.sh/3LxzI4ISHOW LINKS
The Copyright Series on this podcastEPISODE 19 — Copyright For Illustrators: Part 1 https://thoughts-on-illustration.simplecast.com/episodes/why-copyright-is-more-important-than-you-think-part-1EPISODE 20 — Copyright For Illustrators: Part 2https://thoughts-on-illustration.simplecast.com/episodes/copyright-licensing-and-self-promotion-part-2IN THIS EPISODE
0:00:00 - Intro and Opener: No Bad Clients, only Bad Behaviours
0:05:16 - How to Support
0:07:50 - Main Content
0:08:25 - Ordering a Coffee at Starbucks for the First Time
0:10:20 - Describing What Haircut You Want to Your Barber
0:15:00 - Problems arise from Misaligned Expectations and Inability to Communicate
0:15:30 - The Four Types of Clients to Avoid
0:17:00 - 01 The Unprepared Client
0:25:36 - 02 The Inexperienced Client
0:34:00 - 03 The Uninformed Client
0:40:45 - 04 The Over-asking Client
0:55:07 - Summary
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Learn how to illustrate ideas in Sweet Spots: Expressing Big Ideas in Small Illustrations — https://skl.sh/3e8Wl33 — Use my links to get 30 days free on Skillshare.
So you know how to illustrate — now, how do you start your career as an illustrator? In this episode, I'll share 10 key strategies that helped kickstart my illustration career. These personal yet practical tips offer valuable insights for aspiring illustrators looking to advance in the industry. Whether you're seeking a reminder of fundamental practices or hoping for fresh perspectives, this episode provides a blend of familiar and surprising advice to motivate and inspire. This episode originally launched in July 2023 as a Patron's Only "Summer Shorts" episode.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.comIN THIS EPISODE
Episode introThanks/How to SupportUpdatesSkillshare Referral Drive Update (Thanks for showing up for me!)Response to Episode 30 in Designer Sketches: Learning to Speak Machine with John Maeda10 Things I Did to Get my Illustration Career Off the GroundTip 1 - Start as a designerTip 2 - Make everything about illustrationTip 3 - Make mistakesTip 4 - Start it on the sideTip 5 - Start localTip 6 - Submit work to blogs, collections and awardsTip 7 - Have a daily project that you shareTip 8 - Invest in special self-promotionTip 9 - Get an agent (when you are ready)Tip 10 - Pay attention to what others say about youConclusionPlant seeds now, that's the only way you'll see growth laterDon't listen to the bad stuff people say, embrace only the positiveOutroEPISODE LINKS
Learning How to Speak Machine with John Maeda — https://designersketches.substack.com/p/learning-how-to-speak-machine-with
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Learn how to win more creative battles. Take The Six Stages of Illustration on Skillshare today. Use this link to get 30 days free access to every class on Skillshare — https://skl.sh/4cCTxEH
In today's episode, we'll dive into the delicate balance of navigating conflicts and compromises with our illustration clients and art directors. As artists, we often have strong opinions about our work, making compromise a challenging but necessary part of our creative process. Illustration, or commercial art, is unique in that it's not just self-expression; it's about expressing others' ideas through our unique abilities, style and point of view. Somehow, we need to maintain our artistic integrity while meeting the needs of our clients. Finding the right balance tricky. We can't make it all about us, but we also can't just give up our creative authority to appease our clients. By listening to this episode, you'll learn how to find more wins in your work by valuing both your client's needs and your own creative vision. Throughout the episode, I'll share insights from listeners and fellow illustrators, offering diverse, valuable perspectives on navigating creative conflicts in illustration.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.comEPISODE LINKS
The original Threads Post - https://www.threads.net/@mrtomfroese/post/C5T2uL6PEj2The Six Stages of Illustration (Skillshare Class) - https://skl.sh/4cCTxEHPODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Discover Your Illustration Voice in The Style Class - https://skl.sh/3S6PCF1 — Use this link to get 30 days free on Skillshare
Is the AI Illustration Apocalypse Here, and is it going to take all our jobs away? In this episode, I'm going to share my thoughts on how AI is affecting the illustration industry today and how it might affect us in the future. I go a bit dark in this one but stick with me, in end I share 3 reasons I’m holding on to hope as an illustrator. In the very end, I offer one main thing that you can ALWAYS rely on to be your true value, both to yourself and to whoever you work with.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!04 – Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter
Never miss an important update. Sign up at https://mrtomfroese.substack.comSKILLSHARE CLASSES MENTIONED
Now's a great time to finally check out Skillshare while supporting this podcast in a major way!. Get 30 days free membership with these links.
Try LUCY LAMBRIEX's class, Peculiar Prompts for All-Round Creatives: Gain Confidence & Find Your Flow - https://skl.sh/4a40tJbTake Tom's class — The Style Class: Work Out Your Illustration Style in a Daily Project - https://skl.sh/3TLdkehSHOW LINKS
Open AI Illustration in United Airlines magazine - https://www.threads.net/@taxali/post/C4v6oMMvq5ELuddites on Wikipedia- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LudditeLuddites have been getting a bad rap for 200 years. But, turns out, they were right (article on Quartz) - https://qz.com/968692/luddites-have-been-getting-a-bad-rap-for-200-years-but-turns-out-they-were-rightPODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
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Take Composition for Illustrators on Skillshare — https://skl.sh/3TLdkeh Use this link to get 30 days free membership.
Andy J. Pizza is a New York Times best-selling illustrator and author, and host of the Creative Pep Talk podcast. Today he joins me for a deep-dishy dive into all things illustration and creativity, especially where he and I share a lot of common ground. Along the way, we talk about such topics as the myth of the Inspired Artist, his message of adopting a more positive self-psychology, the balance of inspiration and craft in creative work, and even why he thinks full-blown therapy should be a part of art school education. No topping (or topic) is held back — even the mushrooms and pineapples were allowed in this one.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contactSHOW LINKS
Andy's Website — http://www.andyjpizza.comAndy's Substack Newsletter — https://andyjpizza.substack.comSunday With Everything On It (Picture Book) by Andy J. Pizza and Kyle Scheele — https://smarturl.it/SundaewithEverythingOnItInvisible Things by Andy J. Pizza and Sophie Mille — https://www.etsy.com/listing/1585811511/hardback-book-invisible-things-by-andy-j?click_key=8c0ff10a548dff168209fd1e191703fc834162b4%3A1585811511&click_sum=924e6b0c&ref=shop_home_active_19&sca=1CREATIVE PEP TALK — http://creativepeptalk.comPODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Get Feedback on Your Illustrations in a 1-on-1 Session with Mr. Tom Froese — tomfroese.com/coaching
This is Part 2/2 of my conversation with Kyle T. Webster, which we started in the previous episode (Episode 27). Today we pick up where we left off, with Kyle’s advice for those asking if they should have one style or many, how his background in traditional art skills informs his digital brushes, and he even has a word for artists who might be afraid of how AI will affect the value of their work.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contactIN THIS EPISODE
Kyle’s Advice - Should I have just One Style or Many?When client wants you to work in a different styleThe importance of Predictability and Skill over Style3 Tips about Having a StyleYou can choose how varied your style is according to your temperamentBe predictable and repeatable in any styles you offerBe skilled in whichever styles you offerHow many Brushes has Kyle Made?When People "Misuse" Kyle's BrushesKyle's Understanding of Physical Media in his Digital BrushesWhen people can't get his brushes to work for them?The difference between Artists and "Tinkerers"Advice for illustrators who want to learn FrescoKyle's experience making a Domestika ClassFresco Tutorials for University ClassesYou can get Fresco for free!Kyle's response to my being overwhelmed by all the many options and brushesKyle's feelings about being the Photoshop Brush guyHow the thing we end up being good at differs from what we originally thoughtWhy We Teach (not just for the $)3 Things Kyle's Excited AboutKyle's Thoughts on AI ArtThank Yous and GoodbyeSHOW LINKS
Kyle's Substack and Podcast: The Accidental Expert - http://www.accidental-expert.comDrawing Mindfulness App for iOS : Lines of Zen - https://linesofzen.com/Kyle's online shop (Gumroad) for digital illustration tools - https://kyletwebster.gumroad.comPODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Take my class COMPOSITION FOR ILLUSTRATORS! Use this link and get 1 month free on Skillshare! — https://skl.sh/3TLdkeh
I'm excited to share with you part 1 of a 2-part conversation I had with illustrator and pioneering digital brush-maker, Kyle T. Webster. Kyle is the guy behind the many, many digital illustration brushes (2,400 and counting) that come bundled with Adobe Photoshop and Fresco. In this episode we talk about his beginnings as an aspiring illustrator many years ago, and how he slowly but steadily built up a small empire around his digital brushes — which have no doubt shaped the world of digital illustration as we know it today. We have a wide ranging conversation that touches on things like:
Building up an illustration portfolio when you haven't had any clients yetWhy working in different styles can make good business senseWhat Kyle means when he calls himself an Accidental ExpertWhat Kyle finds most meaningful in his work and career, besides drawing or making brushesWhy making Creativity a way of life is necessary to building up a successful careerAnd much, much more!HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contactN THIS EPISODE
IntroQuick Intro/Bio of Adam MingHow to Support the PodcastThe Interview (Part 1)The Renaissance ManWhat does the T in Kyle T Webster stand for?Becoming an Accidental ExpertThe Role of Experimentation and PlayCreating Opportunities and Embracing AccidentsThe Importance of MentorsEmbracing Passion to find OpportunitiesLiving Creatively in Any SituationThe Importance of Design as a Way of LifeFinding Your Guiding StarLeaving a Lasting LegacyThe debate on One Style vs. ManyOutroTo Be Continued …. in Part 2
SHOW LINKS
Kyle's Substack and Podcast: The Accidental Expert - http://www.accidental-expert.comDrawing Mindfulness App for iOS : Lines of Zen - https://linesofzen.com/Kyle's online shop (Gumroad) for digital illustration tools - https://kyletwebster.gumroad.comPODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Support the Thoughts on Illustration Podcast at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
In this first official interview episode on Thoughts on Illustration, Adam Ming shares his thoughts on becoming a successful kids book illustrator in his late thirties and early 40s. Adam is quickly becoming an accomplished picture book illustrator, and along the way, he's sharing his insights and inspiration on his Substack, apty called The Ten Minute illustrator. He's also a co-founder of ILLOGUILD, a community of picture book illustrators who meet regularly to share ideas, give and get critical feedback, and help one another find the next big opportunity. At the top I share my own thoughts as I dive into this new role as public conversationalist via this podcast.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contactIN THIS EPISODE
IntroThoughts on Now Having Guests on the PodcastCall to Support the PodcastQuick Intro/Bio of Adam MingThe InterviewOutroSHOW LINKS
Adam Ming's website - https://adamming.com/booksThe Ten Minute Artist (Daily Creative Prompts and Creative Inspiration on Substack) - https://www.tenminuteartist.com/p/day-14-intervalsAdam Ming's Picture Books - http://adamming.com/booksPODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Support the Thoughts on Illustration Podcast at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
Have you hit a dead end with your work? Are you bored of your style? Or maybe, like me, you feel even worse about the art you've been making lately? This past year has brought a few blows to my professional and personal creativity, and at the end of 2023, I was feeling pretty crappy about my own work. I've come to this point many times in my career, and usually I just shrug it off and keep going. But this time was different. In this episode I talk about how I was able to climb out of a hole of artistic despair and rekindle my love affair with my work. By listening to this episode, I hope you will learn how to rediscover the joy in your own practice. If it hasn't happened to you yet — listen to this one and put it in your back pocket. 😉
Listen all the way to the end, where I share some additional thoughts on the connection between our process and reclaiming our joy amidst our concerns of Artificial Intelligence taking over our jobs.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Support the Thoughts on Illustration Podcast at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
Paul Rand is one of my biggest influences and a huge inspiration for this podcast. In this Special Anniversary Episode, I'm going to share with you a little bit about the pioneering American graphic designer, ad man and (in my opinion) illustrator. By listening to this episode you will learn about a legendary figure in graphic design and illustration history. You will also learn valuable insights from Paul about working as a professional creative.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
Chapter 1: Who is Paul Rand?
Chapter 2: 6 Things I Learned from Paul Rand
PAUL RAND BOOKS CITED OR MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Paul Rand: A Designer's ArtThoughts on DesignDesign, Chaos and FormPaul Rand (Monograph by Steven Heller)SHOW LINKS
See Rand's NO WAY OUT movie posterSteven Heller on Graphic Designer Paul Rand (Biblio File podcast episode)Steve Jobs interview (on Paul Rand)PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
www.tomfroese.com
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com -
Take The 6 Stages of Illustration: Leading Clients Through Your Art - Use this link to get 30 days free on Skillshare. https://skl.sh/3LxzI4I
REPLAY: As I struggle to get my next class published before the end of the year, this episode (originally published as Episode 14) is particularly relevant. Whether you're listening for the first time or you're hearing it again, I truly believe it's worth hearing this message.
Do you ever feel like everything takes YOU longer than everyone else? In this episode, talk about what it’s been like for me as a slow worker. What kinds of things have slowed me down, and how have I been able to thrive as a successful illustrator in spite of them. So if you’re a slowpoke trying to figure out why it just takes so long to get things done, this one is for you.
I’m going talk about why I think there are two kinds of slow — good slow and bad slow — and why we should embrace the former and try to change the latter. And of course, I’ll give you some ways to do both. How can you embrace the things about your work that you maybe wish would go faster, and how you can change some of the things that truly get in your creative way.
By the end of this episode, I hope that you’ll feel permitted to give yourself the time you need to do your best work — and to defend that time when it comes under question by yourself — or by others.
HOW TO SUPPORT
Thank you for listening/watching!
01 — Share this episode/podcast with a friend.
This is the single most effective way to help grow this podcast.
02 — Support me on Patreon at http://patreon.com/tomfroese
$8 Drawing Buddies gain exclusive access to my monthly Draw With Me meetups.Join for as low as $3 to get 20% off my 1-on-1 coaching sessions03 – Take my Skillshare classes!
Visit http://tomfroese.com/teaching to find links to all my classes. Use these links and get 30 days of free membership on Skillshare!
04 – Join my mailing list
Never miss an important update. Sign up at http://tomfroese.com/contact
IN THIS EPISODE
Hook - Teachers in art school making us feel like we have to work fast or die in the design industry
Chapter 1: Slow is Faster Than Stuck
Good slow vs. Bad slowGood - Slow for the right reasonsJust necessary part of the processBad - Slow for the wrong reasonsSomething negative getting in my wayWhy this episode: to help you overcome anxiety and frustration we feel when we feel like things take longer than they shouldStory: Rebranding a company without any experienceChapter 2: Slow for the Right Reasons
Some things just take timeExamples: Baking cookies, making wine, waiting for paint to dryFor me: My processReasons for SlowConceptual reasonsTechnical reasonsMaybe we're just not good at it (not a bad thing)Short deadlines: NOT inevitablePick Two: Good/Fast/Cheap — sounds good in theory, but is Good ever an option?Takeaways:Some things just take timeBuild these into your processThere is always a struggle to get to the eureka momentWe learn how to avoid things that slow us down the mostShort deadlines are a CHOICE!Chapter 3: Slow for the Wrong reasons
Things that take our time but don't need toAKA PitfallsExamplesTrying to go directly over a mountain, rather than around itBaking without a recipeReasonsTrying to take shortcuts that end up taking longerNot following a step by step processAvoiding outside feedbackAnalysis paralysisSolutionsEmbrace the long way. Building a solid foundation takes more time up front but saves time down the road.Develop a process through practice over time, and then stick to it.Swallow your pride, be brave, share your mid-process work even though you don't want to!Start with very simple tasks you know you can do. Then do the next right thing, and the next. One thing at a time.Episode Summary
LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE
The Six Stages of Illustration (Skillshare class) - https://www.tomfroese.com/teaching/the-six-stages-of-illustration
Slow is Faster Than Stuck (My original article on Medium) - https://medium.com/creators-hub/slow-is-faster-than-stuck-e879958364b9
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
THANK YOU TO MY TEAM!
Julia Herrick, Script Editor
https://julesherrick.comMark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
http://linktr.ee/mrtomfroese
PODCAST TEAM/CREDITS
Mark Allan Falk, Audio/Video Engineer
https://linktr.ee/semiathleticAll Music, including Theme Song and Cues by Mark Allan Falk.
FIND ME ELSEWHERE
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/tomfroese
Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/mrtomfroese
Work/Classes/Teaching - http://wwwtomfroese.com - Show more
